
































































The Puppet Princess 
or, the Heart that 
Squeaked 


































































\ 


* 







THE QUEEN AND THE PRINCESS 


/ 

/ 







Cjje puppet princess 
or* ti)e Heart tljat 
^queafeeti 

31 Clmotmas Jplap for C^UUren 

25P 

9lugujSta J>tebett£on 



Houston JHtEtn Company 
Boston anti JBeto JBorli 



COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY AUGUSTA STEVENSON 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 


Published October IQ15 


< < 
V C? C 


3T?ie SUbersibc 15re33 

CAMBRIDGE . MASSACHUSETTS 
U . S . A 

©CI.D 41887 


OCT -4 1915 


Note 


The illustrations are reproduced from photographs 
of models wearing costumes of Dennison crepe paper. 
These costumes were designed especially for this play 
by the Dennison Manufacturing Company of Boston, 
New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and St. Louis. Di¬ 
rections for preparing them will be found at the end 
of the book. The Dennison Manufacturing Company 
will make them to order if desired. 


Characters 


Santa Claus 

Princess 

King 

Queen 

Prince 

Witch 

Hans 

Gretel 

Goblin 

Goody 

Porter 

Old. Lady 


Beggar Girl 
Cousins and Pages 







The Puppet Princess 

or, The Heart that Squeaked 

Time : — A long time ago. Christmas Eve. 
Place : — The good King's castle. A court is 
seen with pillars; doors or cur¬ 
tains to castle at back; stone table 
and bench at side. Curtain shows 
Hans and his daughter Gretel en¬ 
tering court. Both wear gay cos¬ 
tumes. Hans is thirty years old. 
Gretel is ten years. Both carry 
puppet boxes suspended from neck 
by cords. As they advance , Hans 
blows a trumpet. Doors at back 
open ; enter Porter. 

Porter 

Well, well, why blow ye here ? Why 
blow ye here ? 

Hans 

We come to show our puppets, sir. 
To show them to the King and Queen — 


4 


THE PUPPET PPINCESS OP 


to show them to the little Prince — to 
all within this castle. Wilt tell them we 
are here, sir ? 

Porter 

I cannot tell them now, sir. They ’re 
having a Christmas party within, and I 
like not to disturb them. Know you not 
’t is Christmas Eve ? 

Hans 

Aye, and we’ve brought our puppets 
to entertain the little Prince and his thir¬ 
teen little cousins. 

Porter 

I know they would love to see them, 
but the party has just begun — the Prince 
is preparing to hang his stockings up and 
so are his little cousins. I should n’t like 
to go in now. 

Hans 

But His Majesty sent for us to come. 

Porter 

Oh, then, that is different! I’ll tell 
them at once — of course I will. But 


THE HE Alt T THAT SQUEAKED 5 

just let me have a peep at thy puppets 
first. 

(.Hans lifts curtain to his box. Porter 
looking.') 

Ha, ha! There’s Punch and Judy all 
ready for to quarrel again! Ha, ha! I ’ll 
tell the King. — Wait here — you ’ll hear 
His Majesty’s trumpets. 

(Exit to palace, laughing. Hans plac¬ 
ing boxes on table; arranging them; 
trying strings, etc.) 

Hans 

Now then, ’t is all in order for the 
Prince, and King and Queen. 

Gretel 

{Anxiously.) Dost think they will 
wish to pull the strings themselves, 
father ? 

Hans 

’T is very like they will, my child. 

Gretel 

Oh, I hope they will leave my puppet 
alone! 


6 


THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 


Hans 

Why, Gretel ? Why leave it alone ? 

Gretel 

They might make her dance too long. 

Hans 

Too long ? Now how could puppets 
dance too long ? They have no sense or 
feeling. 

Gretel 

I almost think my puppet has. Some¬ 
times she seems real to me. And some¬ 
times I almost wish she were alive, 
father. 

Hans 

{In alarm.) Gretel! Thou must not 
wish that! It might come true. Listen— 
yesterday, a Goody who was passing 
by, told me something new and strange. 
She said that whatever a good heart 
wished — that thing in time would come 
to pass. 

Gretel 

The wish come true ? 





HANS GRETEL THE RORTER 






















THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 7 
Hans 

Aye, if wished by a good heart, mind. 
Now thou hast a good heart, Gretel; 
thy mother has always said so. So be¬ 
ware for what things thou dost wish — 
they might come true, my daughter. 

Gretel 

Dost think I could wish my puppet to 
life ? 

Hans 

Aye, I do. 

Gretel 

Then let me wish, father! Please let 
me wish! 

Hans 

No, no, Gretel! No, no! Thou hast 
learned to dance thy doll with much 
skill; she brings us many a penny. So 
leave thy puppet as she is. 

(Trumpets heard. Doors open.') 

('Enter Porter) 

Porter 

The King! The King! 

(Hans and Gretel kneel.) 


8 THE PUPPET P BIN CESS OP 


(Enter the King in satin , a gold crown wob¬ 
bling upon his head) 

King 

Arise, and show me your puppets! 
Quick—I can hardly wait to see them! 

Hans 

(.Pulling strings.) Here are Punch 
and Judy, Sire. 

King 

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Let me pull 
the strings now! 

(Hans steps aside. King works pup- 
pets.y 

Ha, ha! What fun I now am haying! 
I love to pull the strings, I do! ’T is bet¬ 
ter than rich plum pudding. 

(King crosses ; looks in GreteVs box.y 
Aha! What kind of a puppet have 
we here ? She’s dressed just like a 
Princess. 

Gretel 

And she dances like a Princess, Sire. 
See! 


(Pulls strings. Puppet dances. King 





THE KING 





t 



THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 9 

laughs loud and long and dances 
in front of box , imitating puppet's 
dancing.) 


King 

Beautiful! I never saw a real Prin¬ 
cess who could dance like that. Beauti¬ 
ful — beautiful — beautiful! Here, let 
me dance her now. 

(Gretel steps back , but unwillingly. 
King pulls strings , peeping over into 
box and laughing.) 

Look, how fast she’s dancing now! 
I’ll make her go faster still, I will! 

(Pulls strings violently . Gretel shows 
alarm.') 

She’s spinning round and round like 
a top. I’ll make her dance faster than 
that even. 

before. Gretel is in agony. Hans 
prevents her from stopping King.) 

I must have thy Princess, maid. I ’ll 
buy her from thee this minute. 


Gretel 

I — I do not wish to sell her, Sire. 


10 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 


King 

What! I am King, Miss, over all this 
land. I’ll buy anything that I fancy. 
Here’s a bag of gold for her. 

(Tosses bag to Gretel , who does not try 
to catch it. Hans picks it up quickly.) 

Hans 

We thank thee, Sire, we thank thee. 

King 

’T is well. And now I will fetch the 
Queen and Prince and the Prince’s little 
cousins. And you both may go. I’ll work 
the puppets myself, I will. ’T will be the 
best part of our party. Next Christmas 
Eve you may come again and bring to 
me new puppets, for these will be quite 
worn out by then. Oh, all worn out—I 
promise you. So farewell, my friends. 
Next Christmas Eve, remember! 

(Exit to palace. Gretel runs to her box . 
Hans takes up his.) 

Hans 

Come, Gretel, we must go now. 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 11 

Gretel 

Didst see how he pulled and jerked her 
about ? 

Hans 

Thou art foolish. Come. 

Gretel 

If she were only a real Princess she 
could run away when mistreated. I 
wish — 

Hans 

Stop! Stop! Thou must not wish! 
Thou must not turn that puppet to life. 
She helps us earn our living. Come, 
come, come! - 

(He is dragging Gretel away when the 
Porter enters .) 

Porter 

Wait— I want to see Punch and Judy 
again. I’ll go with thee to the outer 
gate. I want to know how ye make them, 
sir. I want to know all about it. 

(Walks with Hans . Gretel falls be¬ 
hind.') 


12 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 
Hans 

I am glad thou art so interested. I ’ll 
tell thee everything, everything. 

Porter 

’Tis curious now about these strings 
— very, very curious. 

(They disappear. Gretel steps behind 
a pillar. Pause. She runs to box.') 

Gretel 

I wish — I wish — I wish thou wouldst 
into a real live Princess turn! 

([Darhness falls. Returning light shows 
a living Princess standing on table in 
front of box. Gretel is delighted.) 

Oh ! Oh ! Oh! 


Princess 

(Looking about.) Well, ’t is very pretty 
here. I like it better than the box, Gretel. 

Gretel 

Thou dost know, then, what thou wast ? 
Princess 

Of course, and I’m glad thou hast 
turned me to life. 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 13 

Hans 

(Calling, off.) Gretel! Gretel! 

(Enter Hans hastily') 

Come, come! (Sees Princess; starts .) 
Gretel! Thou hast wished — ? 

Gretel 

Aye, father. And she came to life 
immediately. 

Hans 

Alas, alas! The King will cut our 
heads off. 

Princess 

Be not so sad. I ’ll dance for thee to 
cheer thee up. 

(Dances ; squeaks ; stops quickly.) 

Why, I squeaked ! Didst hear ? 

Hans 

Perhaps the squeaking did not come 
from thee. Dance again. 

(.Princess dances; squeaks.) 

Princess 

Ah, but it does. ’T is right in here. 

(Placing hand over her heart.) 


14 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 

Gretel 

She never squeaked at all before. What 
is it, father? What is it? 

Hans 

{Excited.) I think I know ! Gretel, tell 
me — when thou wished, didst wish for 
her a heart full of kindness and good 
deeds? 

Gretel 

Why, no — I thought the heart went 
with the rest. 

Hans 

Nay, hearts have to be made, my dear. 

Princess 

What is it, then? What ails me? 
Hans 

’T is this — thou hast still thy puppet 
heart of wood. So it must be that that 
squeaks. 

Princess 

Well, ? tis something inside me very 
deep. 

(Trumpets heard, off, and shouts.') 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 15 
Hans 

’T is the King and Queen and little 
Prince! Come, Gretel, come! We must 
run to save our heads, dear! 

Gretel 

{Going: to Princess,) Run away if 
they mistreat thee! 

(Runs off with Hans. Trumpets; 
shouts , off.) 

Princess 

{Alarmed.) I’ll run away at once, I 
will! 

(Jumps from table and hides behind a 
pillar. Doors at back open.) 

(Enter King , Queen , Prince , and thirteen Cou¬ 
sins. The Queen is tall and haughty. She 
wears a trained dress , gold crown , and gold 
shoes. The Prince is ten years old ; is hand¬ 
some, manly , and good. He wears a gold 
crown and gold sword and carries a pair 
of his stockings. The Cousins are boys and 
girls from six to eight years old. They are 
prettily dressed and each carries a pair of 
his stockings. The doors are left open dis¬ 
closing the castle hall , blazing with lighted 


16 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OP 

candles and hung with Christmas garlands 
and wreaths .) 

King 

Now, then, I ’ll show you the dancing 
puppet, dears. I know you ’ll laugh your 
heads quite off — just exactly as I did. 
But first hang up your stockings for Santa 
to fill. He may come now any minute. 

(.Prince and cousins hang stockings on 
a ribbon tied to a pillar and stretched 
across court at one side .) 

Now, then, are you ready? 


Children 

Aye! Aye! 

King 

Then look at this puppet dancing! 

(Queen and children stare into empty 
box in silence.') 

Why don’t you laugh ? 


Queen 

There’s nothing there to laugh at, 
Sire. 


Prince 

The box is empty, father. 





THE PRINCE THE QUEEN A COUSIN 



















THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 17 
Cousins 

Aye! Aye! 

King 

Empty! 

(Looks into box: shows surprise .) 
Ko w, how is this ? Where has she gone ? 
Where can she be ? 

Princess 

Here I am, Your Majesty. 

(Others jump with surprise .) 

King 

What! Why, I cannot understand it! 
Queen 

Where didst thou come from, stranger ? 

Princess 
Out of that box. 

Queen 

(Jumping.) Out of that box! 
Princess 

Aye, I used to live there. 

King 

She looks like the puppet exactly. 


18 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 

Queen 

Then she is a puppet! 

Prince 

But she talks! How can she be a pup¬ 
pet ? 

Cousins 

Aye! Aye! 

Princess 

I was a puppet ten minutes ago, but I 
am one no longer. Gretel wished me into 
life and lo, I was breathing as you are. 

Queen 

Well, be that as it may, thou hast 
spoiled our Christmas party. Thou wast 
to dance for us in thy box. 

Princess 

I can dance for you out of it just as 
well, I have n’t forgot my whirling. 

( Dances , and squeaks louder and louder 
with every whirl. Others put their 
hands to their ears.) 

King 


Stop! Stop! 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 19 

Cousins 

Stop! Stop! 

Queen 

Stop! It hurts my very ear drums! 
Princess 

(Stopping.) I regret I squeak so badly. 
I would that I could stop it. 

Queen 

Well, as I said before, thou hast spoiled 
our party completely. We have no way 
now to entertain our guests till Santa 
Claus comes; I’m bitterly disappointed. 
In fact, Sire, I think the girl should be 
turned back to a puppet and put in her 
box and dance to the strings as we pull 
them. 

Princess 

No! No! Don’t turn me back to a pup¬ 
pet—please! Don’t! Don’t! Don’t! I beg 
you! 

Prince 

Don’t turn her back, dear mother! I’d 
like her to live in this castle with us and 
play with me and my cousins. 


20 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OP 


Princess 

Why could n’t I be a cousin too ? 

King 

Ha, ha! Did you hear that, Queen 
dear? 

Queen 

Cousin, indeed! Why, she is naught 
but a puppet! And a puppet once, always 
a puppet. 

King 

Well, but, my dear, isn’t it possible 
for folks to change ? 

Queen 

No; every one is what he was made to 
be, and never can be any other. That 
puppet can’t stay in the palace with me, 
who was born a Queen on a throne, Sire. 

Princess 

Excuse me, but I mean to stay. I like 
the nice little Prince there. 

King 

Ha, ha! She’s a smart little girl, I see. 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 21 

Prince 

I want her to stay, dear mother; Pd 
like her to live here forever. 

Queen 

Sire, she’s bewitching the Prince! 
This thing must be settled at once. And 
I know the way to do it. 

( Crosses. Knocks three times on a pil¬ 
lar .) 

King 

Why dost thou knock on that pillar, 
my dear ? 

Queen 

I am calling the Witch, the old Court 
Witch, who lives underneath in the cel¬ 
lar. 

Prince 

Please don’t call her up here! She ’ll 
work some harm on the Princess. 

King 

Don’t let her come! She scares me 
nearly to death, dear. 


22 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OP 


Queen 

She must come. She ’ll know what to 
do with the stranger. 

(.Knocks as before. Three muffled knocks 
heard off.') 

She knocks! Dost hear? That means 
she is coming. 

( Thunder , lightning. Pillar opens show¬ 
ing Witch. She comes forward . Pillar 
closes.) 

Witch 

What wilt thou of me, Queen? 

Queen 

Witch — Witch — a boon I beg! 
Witch 

Speak and I will answer. 

Queen 

Please tell us what to do with that 
maid. She confesses she came out of the 
box there. 

Witch 

Aha! Didst live in that box ? 
Phincess 

{Frightened.) Yes, Witch — 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 23 
Witch 

An’ why didst thou live there all alone? 

Princess 

{In a trembling voice.) I — I — 
could n’t help myself — 

Witch 

An’ what didst thou do in the box ? 

Princess 

(Teeth chattering .) I — I — danced — 
Witch 

Dance for me — this instant — Miss! 

Princess 

I cannot, Witch — I squeak. 

Others 

Aye! She squeaks! She squeaks! 
Witch 

Ha, ha! Dance, dance! I’d love to 
hear thee squeak, I would! Dance, dance, 
dance! 

(Princess dances, squeaks, stops.') 

Ha, ha, ha, ha! Well, ’tis easy to 
know what to do, Queen. 


24 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 


Queen 

What dost thou advise, Witch ? 

Witch 

I ’ll turn her into a puppet and put her 
back in her box there. 

Princess 

{Screaming.) Oh ! Oh ! 

Prince 

No! No! 

King 

Not without my permission, Witch — 
not without my permission. 

Witch 

Wouldst give it didst know she was 
wicked ? 

King 

Aye — I’d be obliged to. But how 
can she be wicked ? She’s only been 
alive a few minutes. 

Witch 

No matter. The trouble is in her heart, 
which is no real heart at all with its 
proper feelings of kindness and love. 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 25 

’T is a puppet’s heart she has within and 
’t is made of naught but wood — wood — 
wood! 

(Pounds on floor with cane each time 
she says woodA) 

Others 

{Jumping.) Wood ? 

Witch 

Aye, her heart was not changed when 
she was. So ’t is her wooden heart that 
squeaks and a squeaking heart is always 
bad. It will bring trouble here upon all 
of you. 

Kmc 

Mercy on us! 

Cousins 

Mercy on us! 

Queen 

What trouble will it bring to us ? 
Witch 

I can tell you the first thing easily. 
Saint Nicholas will not come to-night 
with presents for these children. 


26 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 

Cousins 

(Alarmed.) Oh! Oh! 

King 

Dear me, that is dreadful! Saint 
Nicholas never misses us — never — 
never — never! 

Witch 

I say he will pass you by to-night. He 
will not go near a wooden heart, for he 
knows that it is selfish. So, (to Prince 
and cousins) your stockings will be 
empty. 

Cousins 

(Sadly.) Oh! Oh! 

King 

Dear me — dear me! — What are we 
to do, Queen ? 

Queen 

Let the Witch change the girl and put 
her into her box there. 

Witch 

Aye! I can change her back in one 
minute. 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 27 

Princess 

(Frightened.) No ! No! 

Prince 

Don’t let them change her, father! 
I ’ll give np my Christmas party, and I 
care not if my stocking is empty this year. 

Queen 

(Displeased.) Hoity — toity ! That is 
no way to talk, son. Thy cousins cannot 
have their Christmas spoiled. She must 
be changed and at once, before it is time 
for Santa Claus. Witch, prepare to change 
her back. 

(The Witch reaches out her hand to 
grasp the Princess, but the girl eludes 
her and runs to the King.') 

Princess 

Sire, she should not change me with¬ 
out a fair trial! 

Prince 

Aye! Aye ! 

Princess 

Let her prove that my heart is wood, 
not good! 


28 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 


Prince 

Aye, father! 

King 

That seems reasonable. So, Witch, 
thou must prove it. 

Witch 

? T is easily done. I know a way to test 
her heart. 

King 

Proceed at once with your test, Witch. 

Witch 

Please to go out, then, — all but the 
Queen. Dance and squeak, thou puppet! 

(.All go out but Queen and Witch. 
Princess dances out , squeaking.') 

Now, Queen, this is the test we will 
make. Come close, come close, I ’ll whis¬ 
per. 

( Whispering to Queen. Strange hiss¬ 
ing sounds heard.) 

Dost understand ? 

Queen 

{Nodding.) Aye — ’t is a very good 
plan, I think. 




/ 


THE WITCH THE BEGGAR GIRL 










THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 29 
Witch 

And hark — 

( Whispering ; hissing sounds.) 
Queen 

{Nodding.) Aye! Aye! I ’ll bring her 
in immediately. 

Witch 

Wait till I draw the curtain. 

(Draws a curtain across court , making 
two rooms of equal size. Table , stool , 
and bench in room on right. Witch 
crosses to room on left to a corner.') 
Now, here in this corner will I stand. 
Over there will be the stranger. 

Queen 

{Nodding.) And there she will be tested. 
Witch 

{Nodding.) Aye; and every time she 
does an unkind act, I ’ll step one step 
forward. Like this — I ’ll — step. 

(Stepping one step forward.) 

Queen 

When wilt thou claim her ? 


30 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 


Witch 

When I ’ve stepped from here to the 
curtain. And woe unto her if I get there! 
She ’ll be mine then — mine to charm, 
enchant, and change! Ha, ha, ha, ha! 
Now, then, I am ready. Fetch in the 
maid. 


Queen 

Aye, I ’ll fetch her. 

( Exit. Short pause; Witch waits im¬ 
patiently.) 

(Enter Queen and Princess. Queen carries a 
large pudding. Places it on table.') 

Queen 

Now, here is something for thee to 
eat whilst the test is being got ready. I 
hope thou dost like plum pudding ? 

Princess 

I ? ve never eaten any food — I ’ll tell 
thee in one moment. 

(Tastes pudding ; shows joy ; dives into 
it greedily.) 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 31 
Queen 

I ’ll leave thee for a little while, maid. 
{Princess, paying no attention to Queen , 
eats pudding frantically. Exit Queen , 
pleased. Pause.') 

{Enter little beggar girl , ragged and pale) 

Beggar 

Please give me to eat, dear Princess. 
I am hungry, ah, so hungry ! 

Princess 

(j Rising.) Begone! 

Beggar 

A bite to eat, I pray thee! 

Princess 

Begone! Begone! 

{Pushing beggar from court. Witch 
steps one step forward. Princess sits ; 
eats. Pause.) 

{Enter an old , old lady , gentle and sweet; 
wears an old shawl pinned over head) 

Old Lady 

Please let me rest on thy bench, dear. 


32 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 


Princess 

{Rising.) No ; thou canst not rest here. 

Old Lady 

I Ve come from far— I go to far — I 
have no friends or relatives. I must rest 
me or I perish. 

Princess 

Out with thee. Out! Out! And away! 

(Pushes old lady from court . Witch 
steps one step) forward. Princess 
locks door.') 

I ’ll let no one enter, that I won’t! 
They ’ll all want my plum pudding. My, 
my! how I love to eat! 

( Twirls in her joy ; squeaks.) 
(Enter the Goblin Doctor with his medicine 
case. He wears a bright green suit , yellow 
cap , and yellow shoes. Watches Princess 
dancing. She turns , sees Goblin.) 

Who art thou ? 

Goblin 

I am the Goblin Doctor. I heard thy 
squeaking underground, and I came up 
to stop it. 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 83 
Princess 

How wilt thou do it, Doctor ? 

Goblin 

I have an oil made by Goblins ten 
thousand years ago — ’t is very rare and 
costly. 

(Takes a small vial from case ; holds it 
aloft.) 

There ’s no more in all the world, but 
I ’ll give thee enough to cure thee. Drink, 
half, just half, and not one drop more. 

Princess 

{Taking bottle.) What wilt thou do 
with the other half ? 

Goblin 

I must save it for my sick Goblins. 

(Princess drinks oil.) 

There — that is half! Give me back 
the bottle now. 


Princess 

If half is good, all is better. I ’ll keep 
the other half myself. 

(Puts bottle in her pocket.) 


34 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 

Goblln 

Hast thou uo gratitude ? 

Princess 

Gratitude ? And what is that ? I have 
thy oil. Begone! 

Goblin 

( Going.) I did not know’t was thy heart 
that needed mending. Thou wilt squeak 
just as thou didst before. 

(Princess dances; squeaks; stops.') 

Princess 

Why, an’ so I do! Hast no oil for 
hearts ? 

Goblin 

There’s no oil made to cure thee. I 
pray thee give me the bottle! 

Princess 

No! No! Begone! Begone! 

(Pushes Goblin out. Witch takes one 
step forward. Princess sits down 'to 
the pudding. Reenter Goblin.) 

Why dost thou come here again ? 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 35 

Goblin 

The Queen sent me to tell thee that 
Santa Claus has just passed us by. He 
drove his sleigh right over our roof, but 
did not stop one instant. 

Princess 

[Alarmed.) Is the Queen angry ? 

Goblin 

Her eyes flash fire and she gnashes her 
teeth together. And hark to the cousins 
weeping! 

(Opens door. Cousins heard weeping^ 

off ) 

Princess 

Oh, my ! ’T will mean the end of me, 
I fear! What says the King ? 

Goblin 

His Majesty is disappointed. I have 
never seen him feel so bad. And over 
and over he repeats — “ Saint Nicholas 
has never passed us by before — never 
— never — never.” 

Princess 

What says the Prince ? 


36 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 

Goblin 

He is very sad about it, too, but he 
begs them to let you live. 

Princess 

Dost think they will ? 

Goblin 

Not unless thou dost get a heart that 
is so perfectly good, it will not squeak. 

Pbincess 

How can I get such a thing as that ? 

Goblin 

Give me mine oil and thou wilt know 
for thyself. 

Princess 

Indeed, I will not give it up, I will 
keep what I have got, sir. 

{Witch steps one step forward .) 

Goblin 

Then I cannot help thee. So go back 
to thy pudding and eat. Thou will not 
be eating much longer. 

{He springs out. The Princess is 
troubled.') 



THE GOBLIN 













THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 37 

Princess 

? T will be very sad not to eat pud¬ 
ding. 

(Enter a Goody dressed in white . She 
leads a white catd) 

Goody 

{Pleasantly,) Good morrow, little maid, 
good morrow! 

Princess 

Who art thou, old dame ? 

Goody 

I am a Goody, and this is my cat whose 
heart is as white as her fur is. I live in 
the meadow just beyond, and so we are 
thy neighbors. 

Princess 

And what is that to me, I ? d ask ? 

Goody 

What ? Why, I thought to be neigh¬ 
borly. In fact, I came to ask thee to keep 
my cat for a little while. I must be away 
from home some hours. 


38 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OP 


Princess 

I will not keep thy cat one hour! I’ll 
not keep her here one minute! Dost thou 
hear ? Not one single minute! 

( Witch steps one step forward.') 

Goody 

I am very sorry thou dost feel that 
way. But I will not hold it against thee. 
And if thou ever hast any trouble, come 
to me. Goodies know how to cure sorrow. 

(Turns to go.) 

Princess 

Stay! Canst thou tell me how to cure 
my heart of squeaking ? 

Goody 

Of a certainty I can tell thee. ’T is 
something I have studied long and stud¬ 
ied hard in many lands and languages. 

Princess 

Tell me, then! Quick — tell me! 

Goody 

Wilt thou keep my cat whilst I am 
away ? 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 39 
Princess 

I have nothing here to feed it. 

Goody 

Yon pudding will do nicely. 

Princess 

I need the pudding for myself. 

Goody 

Very well, then. I bid thee good day. 
(Going with cat. Princess runs after 
her.) 

Princess 

Wait! Wait! I’ll keep thy cat if thou 
wilt tell me how to cure my heart. 

Goody 

And wilt thou promise to feed her 
well ? ’T is time now for her supper. 

Princess 

Yes — yes — I promise thee. Now tell 
me how to mend my heart. 

Goody 

When I return, I ’ll tell thee. 


40 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 


Princess 

Tell me now — I bid thee ! 

Goody 

(Severely.) No. I ’ll tell thee when I 
said so. Till then, good-bye. Good-bye, 
dear cat! I ’ll see thee when the sun sets. 

(Exit. The Princess looks at the cat 
and frowns. Witch lifts foot to step 
forward. Pause.') 

Princess 

Well, I must feed thee, I suppose. 

(Witch puts foot down slowly. Prin¬ 
cess cuts small piece of pudding: takes 
half to cat.) 

’T is foolish to waste this pudding on 
thee — I ’ye a notion not to do it. 

(Holds pudding aloft. Witch holds foot 
up ready to step forward. She is just 
two steps from curtain. Pause. Prin¬ 
cess sighs sadly.) 

I’m afraid the Goody would find it 
out. Here, cat, thou canst have it. 

( Gives pudding to cat. Witch frowns 
and steps one little step backward. Cat 
eats pudding. Smiles at Princess.) 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 41 

Why, how pleased this cat does look! 
Kittie, kittie, it makes me happy to see 
thee. I ’ll feed thee more, I will, I will. 

(Gives cat larger piece. Witch steps 
another little step backward. Cat 
smiles at Princess .) 

Why, I believe this cat is smiling at 
me! Art thou, dear kittie, art thou? I ’ll 
feed thee all thou canst eat, I will! 

(Feeds cat. Witch steps another step 
backward. Princess laughs and rubs 
her chest .) 

I never felt like this before — so happy 
— oh — so happy ! There’s something 
growing up in me — I can feel it — it is 
sprouting. ’T is full of feeling, too, this 
thing. Oh, ’t is wonderful — most won¬ 
derful ! Dear me, I am sorry I took the 
Goblin’s oil, and I’m sorry about the old 
lady and girl. This thing within me is 
sorry. I ’ll call the Goblin back, I will! 

(Runs to door; calls.) 

Goblin! Goblin — Come back! Come 
back! Swift as lightning travel! 

(Takes bottle from pocket .) 


42 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OP 


I ? ve called the Goblin, kittle. This 
thing within me says I must give the oil 
back. It seems to speak to me, it does. 

(Enter Goblin , springing in) 

Goblin 

I heard — I flew — I’m here, Princess! 

Princess 

Oh, I’m so glad thou hast come! I am 
sorry I took thy oil, Doctor. Here it is — 
I hope it will cure thy sick Goblins. 

(Goblin takes bottle. Witch steps one 
step backward.) 

Goblin 

I thank thee, Princess. If there is any¬ 
thing I can do for thee, on the wings of 
the wind, I ’ll hasten. 

Princess 

Wilt ask the old lady to return here to 
rest ? Wilt take pudding to a girl beggar ? 

Goblin 

Aye; I will and gladly. 

(Princess gives pudding to Goblin. 
Witch steps one step backward. Exit 
Goblin. Princess rubs her chest.) 



THE PRINCESS 






































































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THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 43 
Princess 

This thing is growing more and more. 
I wonder what it can be! 

(Enter the old lady) 

Old Lady 

I Ve come, Princess, I Ve come. 

Princess 

Dear, sweet, old lady, come here and 
rest. Thou mayst sleep all night on my 
bench, if thou wilt. 

(Leads lady to bench. Takes off her own 
satin skirt and makes a pillow of it; 
puts it under old lady's head; tucks 
the shawl about her. Witch steps one 
step backward into her corner. Prin¬ 
cess clutches at her heart.') 

My! My! This thing within grows 
larger! My girdle is too tight by half! 

(Removes girdle; throws it down. Witch 
groans.) 


Witch 

{Calling sadly.) Come,King! Come, 
Queen! Come, Prince! Come all! 


44 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 

(Enter King, Queen, Prince, Goody, and 

Cousins ) 

King 

Well, the test is over, maid, and the 
question now is — Hast thou a good 
heart ? 

Prince 

(.Taking up girdle .) The Princess has 
a good heart, she has, and besides, ’t is 
extra large ! Behold ! ( Holding girdle 

aloft) She cannot wear her girdle! 

Queen 

I ’ll not believe it! That I won’t! 

Prince 

Dance for her, dear Princess, dance! 

(Princess dances, not squeaking.') 

King 

Not a squeak! Not a teenty-weenty 
squeak! 

- Queen 

Witch, what art thou doing? Enter, 
quick, and change the maid! 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 45 

(Enter Witch in a dreadful state , sighing; 
moaning; wringing her hands') 

Witch 

I cannot touch the Princess, Queen. 
No charm will work upon her now — no 
charm can change a kind, good heart. 

Queen 

’T is true ? She has a real heart ? 

Witch 

Aye. She has been changed completely. 

Goody 

’T was feeding my cat that changed 
her. 

Queen 

Well, well! I did not know that folks 
could change — I am very much aston¬ 
ished. 

Princess 

May I not live with thee now, dear 
Queen, and be a real live Princess ? 

Prince 

Say yes, mother, please! Say yes — 
say yes! 


46 THE P UP PET PRINCESS OR 


King 

Please, please let her stay — I ask it. 

Queen 

Well, now that I know her heart is 
good, she may stay with ns forever. 

Princess 

Oh ! That makes me happy, so happy ! 

( Twirls , dances.') 

Witch 

Alack! Alack! Alack! 

( Thunder. Pillar opens. Witch enters 
it moaning. Pillar closes.) 

King 

(Sighing with relief.) Well, now, 
? t would all be well were it not for those 
empty stockings. (To Cousins.) Do you, 
indeed, feel very bad ? 

Cousins 

(Sadly, pressing little handkerchiefs to 
eyes.) Oh! Oh! 

Queen 

? T is a sad Christmas for them, poor 
dears. 


THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 47 

Cousins 

(As before.) Oh! Oh! 

Princess 

And to think it is all my fault! I am 
sorry — so very, very sorry. But I’m 
sure Saint Nicholas will come to you 
next year. 

King 

But next year is not this year. 

Queen 

And never was and never, never can 
be. Those poor dear empty stockings! 

Cousins 

(As before .) Oh! Oh! 

(Enter Goblin, springing in) 

Goblin 

Santa Claus is coming back! Listen 
now to his sleigh bells! 

(All listen. Sleigh bells heard, off, 
faintly ; then nearer and nearer. All 
show joy.) 

Queen 

? T is Santa, indeed! I know his bells! 


48 THE PUPPET PRINCESS OR 
King 

Aye, indeed, ? t is Santa! 

Cousins 

Oh! Oh! 

Goblin 

He has twelve pages with him, and 
each one rides a reindeer! 

Cousins 

Oh! Oh! 

(Bells heard , just out , and a clatter of 
hoofs 0 

Santa 

( Off.) Stop, deer! Stop ! Stop! 

( Clatter ceases. The King opens door 
wider .) 

(Enter Santa Claus with pack of toys on his 
back. He is followed by twelve pages who 
are dressed in bright red and who are very 
nimble.j 

Others 

(Waving handkerchiefs.) Welcome, 
Santa! Welcome! 

Santa 

Merry Christmas to you all! 



SANTA CLAUS 























THE HEART THAT SQUEAKED 49 
Others 

Merry Christmas, Santa! 

Santa 

Now, where is that Puppet Princess ? 

Princess 

( Curtsying .) Here I am, dear Santa. 
I am so glad thou didst come back to us. 

Santa 

I turned when thou didst begin to 
feed the cat. I hastened when thou gay¬ 
est the Goblin his oil, and when thy 
girdle thou didst take off, I came back 
like a whirlwind. Ye see, King and 
Queen, I can’t abide a selfish heart, but 
a good heart will bring me from any¬ 
where. Here, pages, here ; take off my 
pack. 

{Pages remove pack.') 

Now, please to fill those stockings full 
and give presents to the King and Queen 
and don’t forget the Princess. And then 
go through this castle and give some¬ 
thing to every one. And say to every 


50 


THE PUPPET PRINCESS 


man and woman and boy and girl, that 
I wish for them with all my heart a very 
merry Christmas! 

(Pages scamper about , nimbly filling 
stockings and giving presents to all.) 


CURTAIN 










The Costumes 






















The Costumes 


The costumes suggested for the play, “The Puppet 
Princess,” are taken from the mediaeval period. They 
have been designed by the Dennison Manufacturing 
Company and produced entirely from paper. 

The new Dennison Crepe is a wonderful material, as 
soft as velvet and very strong. So great a variety of 
colors cannot be found in any other material except 
high-priced fabrics. The paper is easy to handle in 
making costumes and is durable for actual wear. 

A slip of cotton or lawn for the ladies and a pair of 
inexpensive pajamas for the gentlemen serve as foun¬ 
dations upon which to work. The paper may be plaited 
by hand or machine, may be sewed or stitched; in fact, 
may be treated exactly like cloth without damage. 

Gretel wears a brilliant dress of orange with bands of 
brown and blue for trimming. Her little white apron 
is edged with lace, and she wears a wide black girdle 
laced with satin ribbons. 

Material required: 

2 folds Dennison Cr6pe No. 65, orange. 

1 fold “ “ “ 72, dark brown. 

1 “ “ “ “ 11 , white. 

1 “ “ “ “ 12, black. 

1 dozen square lace-paper doilies. 

Black ribbon — lining for girdle. 

Cost (including Dennison paste), $1.00. 

Hans wears a blue smock trimmed with brown rings, 
belted in at the waist by a wide brown belt with a 


54 


THE COSTUMES 


silver buckle. His pantaloons are brown in color, 
gathered at the knee. 

Material required: 

1 fold Dennison Cr6pe No. 54, blue. 

1 “ “ “ “ 72, brown. 

1 sheet silver paper. 

Cost (including Dennison paste), 35c. 

The Porter’s buff-colored smock is cut up the sides 
and edged with yellow and brown trimming; the 
sleeves, which are full to the elbow, are grass green 
in color, as are also his pantaloons. With this cos¬ 
tume he wears a loose yellow sash trimmed with 
tassels, and a tight-fitting yellow cap. 

Material required: 

1 fold Dennison Crepe No. 44, grass green. 

1 “ “ “ V 71, light brown. 

1 “ “ “ “ 61, yellow. 

1 “ “ “ “ 72, dark brown. 

1 cardboard band for cap. 

Cost (including Dennison paste), 55c. 

The Princess’s costume is made in four pieces: white 
guimpe with silver trimming, pink tunic bordered 
with silver, finely plaited pink skirt, and plaited 
white underskirt. The tunic is cut in turret effect 
below the waist-line and each panel edged with 
white-and-silver trimming about an inch and a half 
wide. The waist-line, neck, and sleeves are outlined in 
the same manner. The Princess also wears a bandeau 
of silver in her hair, with a pink rose at one side. 

Material required: 

1 fold Dennison Cr£pe No. 11, white. 

2 folds “ “ “ 34, coral pink. 

8 sheets white tissue. 

4 bottles silver flitter or metallics. 

2 rolls narrow silver passepartout binding. 


THE COSTUMES 


55 


3 narrow cardboard bands for bandeau. 

Rose leaves. 

Cost (including Dennison paste and glue), $1.30. 

The King’s long black robe is lined with salmon pink 
and edged with wide bands of ermine, and he also 
wears a shoulder cape of the royal fur. His crown is 
of gold studded with jewels. 

Material required: 

2 folds Dennison Crepe No. 12, black. 

1 fold “ “ “ 36, salmon pink. 

1 “ “ “ “11, white. 

1 “ “ “ “ 61, yellow. 

1 sheet cardboard. 

1 sheet gold paper. 

1 sheet gummed paper each, dark blue, light 
blue, and red. 

1 bottle gold flitter or metallics. 

Lining for cape. 

Cost (including Dennison paste and glue), $1.15. 

The Queen’s gown is made Empire style in a combina¬ 
tion of pale yellow and turquoise blue. It has a white 
lace bolero and is trimmed with gold braid and fancy 
buttons. The sleeves are full to the elbow, slashed 
yellow over blue, and have a long flowing cuff. The 
train, which is attached at the shoulders, below a 
high ruff of lace, is made of blue material lined with 
yellow and edged with ermine; and is two yards long. 
A blue girdle with silver tassels completes the cos¬ 
tume. The Queen’s crown, made of gold and set 
with turquoise and rubies, should be smaller than 
that which the King wears. 

Material required : 

3 folds Dennison Crepe No. 51^, blue. 

2 “ “ “ “ 61, yellow. 

1 fold “ “ “11, white. 


56 


THE COSTUMES 


1 fold Dennison Cr6pe No. 12, black. 

1 bottle silver flitter or metallics. 

1 dozen lace paper doilies. 

1 roll narrow gold passepartout binding. 

1 dozen round disks for buttons. 

1 package silver lametta for tassels. 

1 sheet gold paper. 

1 sheet gummed paper each, red and light blue. 

1 bottle gold flitter or metallics. 

Cost (including Dennison paste and glue), $1.70. 

The little Prince is truly a “Prince Charming” in his 
suit of lavender trimmed with royal purple. The 
tunic, which is belted in at the waist, has a plaited 
white yoke edged with purple fringe and gold braid, 
and the hem is bordered with purple fringe and gold 
medallions. The sleeves are full to the elbow, 
slashed purple over lavender, and the pantaloons 
are slashed in the same manner after the fashion of 
mediaeval costume. The Prince also wears a purple 
cape lined with lavender and edged with ermine, and 
a big black Cavalier hat faced with purple, turned up 
at one side, and trimmed with a huge white plume. 

Material required: 

3 folds Dennison Crepe No. 21, lavender. 

3 “ “ “ “ 23, purple. 

1 fold “ “ “ 61, yellow. 

1 “ “ “ “11, white. 

1 “ “ “ “ 12, black. 

1 sheet gold paper. 

1 roll narrow gold passepartout binding. 

1 dozen heart-shaped doilies. 

1 sheet matstock or cardboard for hat. 

2 extra heavy wires for plume. 

1 bottle gold tinting fluid. 

Cost (including Dennison paste and cloth tape), 
$1.75. 


THE COSTUMES 


57 


The Cousins wear short belted tunics and pantaloons, 
each costume varying in color and form of trimming; 
one suit may have a bright-red tunic trimmed with 
blue heart-shaped rings, the belt and trousers being 
made of black; another can be fashioned in green 
with pale-green trimmings cut diamond-shaped and 
a pale-green belt; etc. 

Material required, for each costume: 

1 fold Dennison Crepe for tunic. 

1 “ “ “ “ trimming. 

1 “ “ “ “ pantaloons. 

1 sheet gold or silver paper for buckles. 

Cost (including Dennison paste), 45c. for each 
costume. 

The Goody wears a loose white garment with flowing 
angel sleeves covering the hands. It should be a bit 
ragged and worn. 

Material required: 

2 folds Dennison Cr6pe No. 11, white. 

Cost (including Dennison paste), 30c. 

The Witch’s costume consists of three pieces: tall 
peaked hat with orange band and silver buckle, a 
full black skirt torn around the bottom and trimmed 
with a band of orange, and a black circular cape 
ragged around the edge. 

Material required: 

3 folds Dennison Crepe No. 12, black. 

1 fold “ “ “ 65, orange. 

2 sheets black matstock for hat. 

1 sheet silver paper. 

Cost (including Dennison paste and gummed 
cloth tape), 90c. 

The Goblin’s suit is of bright green trimmed with 
bands of buff, the short smock belted in at the 
waist. 


58 


THE COSTUMES 


Material required: 

2 folds Dennison Crepe No. 43^, emerald green. 

1 fold “ “ “ 61, yellow, 

1 sheet silver paper. 

Cost (including Dennison paste), 45c. 

Santa Claus wears the usual red suit and cap 
trimmed with white fur, and a wide black belt 
with silver buckle. He wears high top boots, and 
of course has a white beard. 

Material required: 

1 fold Dennison Crepe No. 12, black. 

3 folds “ “ “ 83, red. 

\ pound white cotton. 

Cost (including Dennison paste and glue), 85c. 
The Beggar Girl wears a tattered smock of dark 
brown and a skirt of light brown, both trimmed 
with bands of blue. The hem of the skirt is ragged 
and worn. 

Material required: 

1 fold Dennison Crepe No. 71, light brown. 

1 “ “ “ “ 72, dark brown. 

1 “ " “ * 54, blue. 

Cost (including Dennison paste), 40c. 

The long pointed slippers shown in pictures of the 
mediaeval period would be appropriate for wear in this 
play by the gentlemen of the cast, and may be secured 
from Mr. George A. Barnes, 419 Lebanon St., Melrose, 
Mass. 















